Young Vic

Information about the Young Vic Theatre is arranged in four sections as follows:

Section 1 – The Young Vic Theatre, and how to get there
Section 2 – picking up tickets and headsets
Section 3 – the theatre auditorium
Section 4 – useful information and contact numbers

The following information is supplied by the venue and although every effort is made to check details in advance, there may still be things you find unclear. In this case, we would ask you to phone the theatre direct for clarification. The number to phone is given in Section Four.

SECTION 1 – The Young Vic Theatre and how to get there

The address of the theatre is 66 The Cut, London, SE1 8LZ. You will find the Young Vic in the middle of The Cut in Waterloo, just down the road from the Old Vic.

The Young Vic theatre began its life as an offshoot of the Old Vic – the first residence of the Royal National Theatre under Laurence Olivier. ‘Here’, Olivier said, ‘we think to develop plays for young audiences, an experimental workshop for authors, actors and producers.’
The theatre was built on a bomb-site where 54 people sheltering in a bakery had died during the Second World War and was designed by Bill Howell. It was erected at a cost of £60,000 and was intended to last for just five years. By 2000, the fabric of the theatre was crumbling. From 2004-2006, the Young Vic went on ‘Walkabout’ while the theatre was rebuilt, co-producing 22 shows over 22 months with 20 companies across the UK and internationally, before returning to a redesigned theatre.

The Young Vic is in a residential area so car parking is limited and subject to restrictions. If you are arriving by car you can be dropped off outside the front doors, or there is a loading bay a few feet along from the main doors.

There are parking bays directly outside the theatre and these are free after 6.30pm Monday to Friday and after 1.30pm on a Saturday. However, please note that these parking bays are available on a first come first serve basis and demand is high.

There are NCP Car Parks on Upper Ground, Coin Street and at Waterloo Station. The Young Vic is in London’s congestion zone operating 7am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, excluding Public Holidays. For more information you can visit www.cclondon.com

If you are travelling by train or underground, the theatre is a two minute walk away, from both Waterloo and Southwark stations.

Waterloo station is on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, Waterloo & City Lines and Southwark station is on the Jubilee line.

If you are arriving by rail, alight at Waterloo or Waterloo East. Charing Cross and London Bridge are one stop away from Waterloo Station.

If you are travelling by bus from the north of London, the 1, 188, 59, 68, 168, 171, 172 and 176 all run along Waterloo Road and stop at Waterloo station on the opposite side of the road outside Sainsbury’s Supermarket. Alight here and take the first road on the left into The Cut. The Young Vic is a two minute walk on the left hand side of the road.

If you are travelling by bus from south London, the 26, 76, 4, 172 and 341 all run along Waterloo Road and stop at Waterloo Station. Alight here and walk back down the road you have just travelled along. At the push button lights on your left, walk across Waterloo Road and the road in front of you is The Cut.

SECTION 2 – Picking up tickets and headsets

The main entrance to the theatre has two sets of double doors. The set of doors on the left open towards you and the set on the right are automatic. The button to operate them is situated on the right hand side and when pressed the doors will automatically open towards you.

Inside, the rectangular foyer is lit by hanging light bulbs and red neon strip lights. As you enter there are two open entrances on your left, which lead you into The Cut Bar and restaurant area. At the far end of the foyer is a third open entrance which brings you in at the other end of the Bar area.

The Box Office is on the right hand side of the foyer. From here you will be able to collect large print or Braille cast lists and headsets. If you would like to listen to the introductory notes 15 minutes before the start of the performance, you should collect your headset in good time to take your seat.

The Cut Bar & Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, early dinner, pre and post-theatre food and drink. The layout of tables and chairs in the bar area varies during the day. If you enter from either of the open entrances to the left of the main doors, to the right of the room you will find the toilets and a lift to the first floor. These are situated in two alcoves – as you face them, the left hand alcove contains male, female and a unisex accessible toilet. The right hand alcove contains backstage access and the lift.

The ground floor entrance to the main house is at the far end of the foyer, opposite the main doors. As you pass through a set of double doors, there is a flight of stairs to your left which can be taken should you wish to sit in the balcony. To your right is a corridor which will lead you around the theatre, should you wish to enter the auditorium from another side. You can also enter through the open entrance directly in front of you.

There is also an entrance from the foyer to the two smaller theatres – The Maria seats up to 140 and The Clare seats up to 80. Staff will be available to direct you.

Upstairs you will find a second bar and a terrace, as well as access to the main house. You can either take the stairs from The Cut Restaurant and Bar, which have one flight of 18 steps. When you reach the top, turn to your right for the main house or to the left for the bar and terrace. Alternatively you can use the lift. There are more toilets up on this level.

Please note that the outside terrace is the only area available for smoking as the bar is non smoking.

SECTION 3 – The Theatre Auditorium

The main auditorium seats up to 525 people and the seating is arranged into different configurations for each production. All seating is unreserved, please note that the audio description can be received from any seat, and arrangements can be made if you have specific seating requirements. Please contact the theatre on the number given in section four if you require more specific information about the arrangement of the seating for a particular production.

SECTION 4 – Useful Information and Contact Numbers

If you require information about the seating arrangements please call 020 7922 2800

If you will be bringing a guide dog with you, please advise the Box Office if you have not already done so. Guide dogs can be taken into the auditorium with prior notice. Please call the Deputy Box Office Manager, Alison Holder on 020 7922 2838, about this, or any other queries you may have.